Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Prolactin-Secreting Adenomas in the Male

  • Chapter
The Pituitary Adenoma

Abstract

Prolactin-secreting tumors are the most common hormone-secreting pituitary tumors in women and may be the most common hormone-secreting tumors in men as well. It is only within the last five years, with the advent of sensitive radioimmunoassays for prolactin, that the often subtle and varied clinical presentations of these tumors have become apparent. Women with prolactin-secreting tumors (also called prolactinomas) usually present with amenorrhea or galactorrhea, or both, in association with a modestly elevated serum prolactin level in the 50–200 ng/ml range. Plain skull X-rays are often normal, and abnormalities such as focal erosion or enlargement of the sella turcica are detectable only with pleuridirectional tomography. In women with galactorrhea and amenorrhea, the incidence of verified pituitary adenomas has been reported to be as high as 30–50%1,2 (Chapter 4).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. S. Nader, K. Mashiter, F.H. Doyle, and F.G. Joplin, Galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemia, and pituitary tumors in the female, Clin. Endocrinol. 5:245, 1976.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. D.L. Kleinberg, G.L. Noel, and A.G. Frantz, Galactorrhea: A study of 235 cases, including 48 with pituitary tumors, N. Engl. J. Med. 296:589, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. S.A. Fine and L.A. Frohman, Loss of central nervous system component of dopaminergic inhibition of prolactin secretion in patients with prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors, J. Clin. Invest. 61:973, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. P.J. Snyder, L.S. Jacobs, M.M. Robello, F.S.H. Sterling, R.N. Shore, R.D. Utiger, and W.H. Daughaday, Diagnostic value of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in pituitary and hypothalamic disease, Ann. Intern. Med. 81:751, 1974.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. K.D. Post, B.J. Biller, L.S. Adelman, M.E. Molitch, S.M. Wolpert, and S. Reichlin, Results of transsphenoidal adenomectomy in women with galactorrhea—amenorrhea, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 242:158, 1979.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. R. Landgraf, A. Weissmann, R. Horl, and M.M.C. Landgraf-Leurs, Is prolactin a diabetogenic hormone?, Diabetologia 11:357, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  7. R.C. Moehlig, Pituitary tumor associated with gynecomastia, Endocrinology 15:529, 1929.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. E.P. McCullagh, J.G. Alivisatos, and C.A. Schaffenburg, Pituitary tumor with gynecomastia and lactation—a case report, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 16:397, 1956.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. I.A. Forsyth, G.M. Besser, C.R.W. Edwards, L. Francis, and R.P. Myres, Plasma prolactin activity in inappropriate lactation, Br. Med. J. 3:225, 1971.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. J. Racodot, E. Vila-Porcile, and F. Peillon, Adénomes hypophysares a cellules a prolactine: Etude structurale et ultrastructurale; corrélations anatomocliniques, Ann. Endocrinol. (Paris) 32:298, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  11. J.E. Finn and L.A. Mount, Galactorrhea in males with tumors in the region of the pituitary gland, J. Neurosurg. 35:723, 1971.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. R. Volpe, D. Killinger, C. Bird, A.F. Clark, and H. Friesen, Idiopathic galactorrhea and mild hypogonadism in a young adult male, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 35:684, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. G.M. Besser, L. Parke, C.R.W. Edwards, I.A. Forsyth, and A.S. McNeilly, Galactorrhea: Successful treatment with reduction of plasma prolactin levels by bromergocryptine, Br. Med. J. 3:669, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. R.M. Boyar and L. Hellman, Syndrome of benign nodular adrenal hyperplasia associated with feminization and hyperprolactinemia, Ann. Intern. Med. 80:389, 1974.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. M.O. Thorner, A.S. McNeilly, C. Hagan, and G.M. Besser, Long-term treatment of galactorrhea and hypogonadism with bromocriptine, Br. Med. J. 2:419, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. A.D. Rogal and S.W. Rosen, Prolactin of apparent large molecular size: The major immunoactive prolactin component in plasma of a patient with a pituitary tumor, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 38:714, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. E.A. Zimmerman, R. Defendini, and A.G. Frantz, Prolactin and growth hormone in patients with pituitary adenomas; a correlative study of hormone in tumor and plasma by im-munoperoxidase technique and radioimmunoassay, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 38:577, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. D.F. Child, S. Nades, K. Mashifer, M. Kjeld, L. Banks, and T.R. Fraser, Prolactin studies in “functionless” pituitary tumors, Br. Med. J. 1:604, 1975.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. W.B. Malarkey and J.C. Johnson, Pituitary tumors and hyperprolactinemia, Arch. Intern. Med. 136:40, 1976.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. W.G. Schroffner, Prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor in early adolescence, Arch. Intern. Med. 136:1164, 1976.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Q.L. Van Meter, F.J. Garcia, J.W. Hayes, and C.B. Wilson, Galactorrhea in a 12 year old boy with a chromophobe adenoma, J. Pediatr. 90:756, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. M.P. Koenig, K. Zuppinger, and B. Liechti, Hyperprolactinemia as a cause of delayed puberty: Successful treatment with bromocriptine, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 45:825, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. J.L. Antunes, E.M. Housepian, A.G. Frantz, D.A. Holub, R.M. Hui, P.W. Carmel, and D.O. Quest, Prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors, Ann. Neurol. 2:148, 1977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. T.J. McKenna, A.D. Glick, C.A. Cobb, and L.S. Jacobs, Galactorrhea and hypogonadism associated with a radiologically-inapparent prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor, Acta. Endocrinol 87:225, 1978.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. H.E. Carlson, G.A. Levine, N.J. Goldberg, and J.M. Hershman, Hyperprolactinemia in multiple endocrine adenomatosis, type I, Arch. Intern. Med. 138:1807, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. R.Y. Osamura, K. Watanabe, A. Teramoto, K. Hirakawa, N. Kawano, and S. Morii, Male prolactin secreting pituitary adenomas in humans studies by peroxidase-labelled antibody method, Acta. Endocrinol. 88:643, 1978.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. M. Nagulesparen, V. Ang, and J.S. Jenkins, Bromocriptine treatment of males with pituitary tumours, hyperprolactinemia, and hypogonadism, Clin. Endocrinol. 9:73, 1978.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. S. Franks, H.S. Jacobs, N. Martin, and J.D.N. Nabarro, Hyperprolactinemia and impotence, Clin. Endocrinol. 8:277, 1978.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. J.N. Carter, J.E. Tyson, G. Tolis, S. Van Vliet, C. Faiman, and H.G. Friesen, Prolactin-secreting tumors and hypogonadism in 22 men, N. Engl. J. Med. 299:847, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. A.M. McGregor, M.F. Scanlon, K. Hall, D.B. Cook, and R. Hall, Reduction in size of a pituitary tumor by bromocriptine therapy, N. Engl. J. Med. 300:291, 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. C.S. Nicoll, Physiological actions of prolactin, in: Handbook of Physiology, Section 7: Endocrinology, Vol. IV (R.O. Greep and E.B. Astwood, eds.), pp. 253–292, American Physiological Society, Washington, D.C. 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  32. S. Franks, J.D.N. Nabarro, and H.S. Jacobs, Prevalence and presentation of hyperprolactinemia in patients with “functionless” pituitary tumors, Lancet 1:778, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. R.W. Turkington, Serum prolactin levels in patients with gynecomastia, J. Clin. Endocrinol. 34:62, 1972.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. A.G. Frantz, D.L. Kleinberg, and G.L. Noel, Studies on prolactin in man, Recent Prog. Horm. Res. 28:527, 1972.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. M.T. Buckman and G.T. Peake, Abnormal regulation of prolactin secretion in patients with gynecomastia, Clin. Res. 22:162A, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  36. P. Fossati, G. Strauch, and J. Tourniare, Etude de l’activité de la bromocriptine dans les états d’hyperprolactinemie, Nouv. Presse Med. 5:1687, 1976.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. C. Jaffiol, M. Rubin, A. Orsetti, and J. Mirouze, Le. hormones gonadorropes de la prolactine au cours des gynecomasties, Ann. Endocrinol. (Paris) 37:469, 1976.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. A.G. Frantz, Prolactin, N. Engl. J. Med. 298:201, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. R. Goodman, B. Biller, A.C. Moses, M. Molitch, Z. Feldman, and K. Post, Restoration of normal prolactin secretory dynamics after surgical cure of prolactinoma is evidence against underlying hypothalamic dysregulation, Abstracts of The Endocrine Society, 61st Annual Meeting, June 13–15, 1979, p. 159.

    Google Scholar 

  40. M.O. Thorner, G.M. Besser, C. Hagen, and A.S. McNeilly, The relationship between prolactin and gonadotrophins: Effects of clomiphene administration in normal men, J. Endocrinol. 63:43, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. B. Ambrosi, R. Elli, M. Gaggini, M. Rondena, and G. Faglia, Prolactin-secreting tumors and hypogonadism in men, N. Engl. J. Med. 300:563, 1979.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. A. Bartke, Effects of prolactin on spermatogenesis in hypophysectomized mice, J. Endocrinol. 49:311, 1971.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. A. Bartke, Effects of prolactin and luteinizing hormone on the cholesterol stores in the mouse testes, J. Endocrinol. 49:317, 1971.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. N. Musto, A.A. Hafiez, and A. Bartke, Prolactin increases 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the testes, Endocrinology 91:1106, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. A.A. Hafiez, C.W. Lloyd, and A. Bartke, The role of prolactin in the regulation of testis function: The effects of prolactin and luteinizing hormone on the plasma levels of testosterone and androstenedione in hypophysectomized rats, J. Endocrinol. 52:327, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. C. Aragona and H.G. Friesen, Specific prolactin binding sites in the prostate and testes of cats, Endocrinology 97:677, 1975.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. F.J. Bex and A. Bartke, Testicular LH binding in the hamster: Modification by photoperiod and prolactin, Endocrinology 100:1223, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. C. Aragona, H.G. Bohnet, and H.G. Friesen, Localization of prolactin binding in prostate and testis: The role of serum prolactin concentration on the testicular LH receptor, Acta Endocrinol. 84:402, 1977.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. V.S. Fang, S. Refetoff, and R.L. Rosenfield, Hypogonadism induced by a transplantable, pro-lactin-producing tumor in male rats: Hormonal and morphological studies, Endocrinology 95:991, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. A. Bartke, M.S. Smith, S.D. Michael, F.G. Peron, and S. Dalterio, Effects of experimentally-induced chronic hyperprolactinemia on testosterone and gonadotropin levels in male rats and mice, Endocrinology 100:182, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. S.J. Winters and D.L. Loriaux, Suppression of plasma luteinizing hormone by prolactin in the male rat, Endocrinology 102:864, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. R.T. Rubin, P.R. Gouin, A. Lubin, R.E. Poland, and K.M. Pirke, Nocturnal increase of plasma testosterone in men: Relation to gonadotropins and prolactin, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 40:1027, 1975.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. R.T. Rubin, R.E. Poland, and B.B. Tower, Prolactin-related testosterone secretion in normal adult men, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 42:112, 1976.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. R.T. Rubin, R.E. Poland, J.R. Sowers, and J.M. Hershman, Influence of methyl-TRH-induced prolactin increase on serum testosterone levels in normal adult men, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 46:830, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. R.T. Rubin, R.E. Poland, I. Sobel, B.B. Tower, and W.D. Odell, Effects of prolactin and prolactin plus luteinizing hormone on plasma testosterone levels in normal adult men, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 47:447, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. B. Ambrosi, P. Travaglini, P. Beck-Peccoz, R. Bara, R. Elli, A. Paracchi, and G. Faglia, Effect of sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia on serum testosterone response to HCG in normal men, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 43:700, 1976.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. G. Magrini, J.R. Ebiner, P. Burekhardt, and J.P. Felber, Study on the relationship between plasma prolactin levels and androgen metabolism in man, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 43:944, 1976.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. M.M. Varma, C.A. Huseman, and J. Johanson, Effect of prolactin on adrenocortical and gonadal function in normal men, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 44:760, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. L.S. Jacobs, W.B. Mendelson, R.T. Rubin, and J.E. Bauman, Failure of nocturnal prolactin suppression by rnethylsergide to entrain changes in testosterone in normal men, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 46:561, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. J. Hardy, H. Beauregard, and F. Robert, Prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas: Transsphenoidal microsurgical treatment, in: Progress in Prolactin Physiology and Pathology (C. Robyn and M. Harter, eds.), pp. 361–370, Elsevier/North Holland, Amsterdam, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  61. R. Roulier, A. Mattei, A. Reuter, and P. Franchimont, Etude de la prolactine dans les stérilités et les hypogonadismes masculins, Ann. Endocrinol. (Paris) 37:285, 1976.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. P. Falaschi, G. Frajese, A. Rocco, G.M. Besser, and L.H. Rees, Prolactin and idiopathic oligospermia, Lancet 1:667, 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. K. Saidi, R.V. Wenn, and F. Sharif, Bromocriptine for male infertility, Lancet 1:250, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. S. Segal, W.Z. Polishuk, and M. Ben-David, Hyperprolactinemic male infertility, Fertil. Steril. 27:1425, 1976.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. G. Copinschi, M. L’Hermite, R. Leclercq, J. Goldstein, L. Vanhaelst, E. Viragoro, and C. Robyn, Effects of glucocorticoids on pituitary hormonal responses to hypoglycemia: Inhibition of prolactin release, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 40:442, 1975.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. G. Schwinn, A. von zur Muhlen, J. Kubberling, E. Halves, K.W. Wenzel, and H. Meinhold, Plasma prolactin levels after TRH and chlorpromazine in normal subjects and patients with impaired pituitary function, Acta Endocrinol. 79:663, 1975.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Tufts-New England Medical Center Hospital, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA

    Richard H. Goodman, Mark E. Molitch & Ivor M. D. Jackson

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Tufts-New England Medical Center Hospital, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA

    Kalmon D. Post

Authors
  1. Richard H. Goodman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mark E. Molitch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kalmon D. Post
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ivor M. D. Jackson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. New England Medical Center Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Kalmon D. Post M. D. , Ivor M. D. Jackson M. D.  & Seymour Reichlin M. D., Ph. D. ,  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1980 Plenum Publishing Corporation

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Goodman, R.H., Molitch, M.E., Post, K.D., Jackson, I.M.D. (1980). Prolactin-Secreting Adenomas in the Male. In: Post, K.D., Jackson, I.M.D., Reichlin, S. (eds) The Pituitary Adenoma. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3668-6_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3668-6_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-3670-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-3668-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation